Computer Engineering, General

Also known as: Computer Hardware Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Embedded Systems Engineering

In this Bachelor of Science program, you will learn to design, develop, and integrate computer hardware and software components. You'll gain a deep understanding of how computers work, from the transistors up to complex operating systems and networked devices. The curriculum blends principles of electrical engineering and computer science, focusing on areas like digital logic, computer architecture, embedded systems, and real-time operating systems, preparing you to build innovative technological solutions.

Tech & EngineeringEngineeringSTEMDesignSoftware DevelopmentRoboticsCybersecurity

A Week as a Student

You kick off the week with a 9 AM Digital Logic Design lecture, grappling with Karnaugh maps and Boolean algebra. Later, your Circuit Analysis lab involves breadboarding a complex resistor-capacitor circuit. You spend an hour meticulously checking connections with a multimeter, troubleshooting a faulty resistor with your TA’s help. After class, a quick workout at the campus gym helps clear your head. In the evening, you review notes and read ahead for your Data Structures and Algorithms class, already feeling the build-up of upcoming group project deadlines.

High School Preparation

Required Subjects

Pre-Calculus or CalculusPhysicsChemistryComputer Science (e.g., AP Computer Science A)English

Recommended GPA

3.5+

Advanced Courses (AP/IB/Honors)

AP Calculus BC
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
AP Computer Science A
Honors Engineering Principles

Recommended Activities

Robotics Club/Team
Coding or Programming Club
Science Olympiad
Hackathons or Programming Competitions
Electronics Projects (e.g., Raspberry Pi, Arduino)

Application Essay Topics

Describe a challenging technical problem you've encountered and how you approached solving it.
Discuss a piece of technology you believe is transformative and explain its underlying computer engineering principles.
If you could design any new electronic device or system, what would it be and why?
How do you see computer engineering impacting a specific industry or societal challenge in the next decade?

Alternative Path

While a bachelor's degree is standard, you could start with an Associate's degree in Engineering or Computer Science at a community college and then transfer to a four-year university. Some specialized technical certifications in areas like networking or embedded programming might supplement your skills, but they generally do not replace the comprehensive foundation of a bachelor's degree for this field.

Core Subjects

Click on "i" to learn more about each subject

Career Prospects

Growing Study Prospects

Upon completing this program, you can pursue diverse roles such as an Embedded Systems Engineer designing firmware for IoT devices, a Hardware Design Engineer creating new processors or circuit boards, or a Software Engineer specializing in operating systems or real-time applications. You could also work as a Network Engineer, Cybersecurity Engineer, or in ASIC Design within industries ranging from consumer electronics and automotive to aerospace and medical devices.

Impact of AI on this Study

AI profoundly impacts computer engineering by driving demand for specialized hardware for AI acceleration, like GPUs and custom ASICs. You will learn to design efficient hardware for AI workloads, optimize embedded systems for AI inference at the edge, and integrate machine learning algorithms into system design. AI tools are also increasingly used for automated design, verification, and testing of complex hardware systems, streamlining development processes.